About the Anderson Valley Foodshed
The Mendocino Local Food Guide is a project of the Anderson Valley Foodshed. The project began in 2007 as a resource to help eaters locate and buy locally grown and produced food and farmers. We started with the initial paper version in 2007, with a second edition that came out in 2009, the website became live in 2012.
The Anderson Valley Foodshed works toward a vibrant, healthy local food system for our community. We celebrate our local foods, farmers and gardeners. We aim to increase our capacity to grow a diverse, year-long supply of food for all who live here. We work toward these goals through education, connecting people to each other, and creating new opportunities to grow, process and enjoy locally grown food.
Below is a timeline of our activities through the years:
January 2004
An ad hoc group of concerned eaters and farmer/gardener citizens from the Anderson Valley gathered to address the fundamental question: Where does our food come from? The Anderson Valley Foodshed Group was born. Early efforts began with organizing farm tours and getting to know local farmers.
October 2005
The eating local campaign C’mon Home to Eat was initiated. In 2006 the campaign took off on a County-wide level and has continued annually since then.
Spring 2006 and 2007
The AV Foodshed Group organized the first STEPS meetings, which brought together representatives of farming, restaurants, stores, farmers’ markets, local food groups and government agencies to network around local food issues, focussing on the future of our local food economy and identifying the STEPS that would lead to a sustainable local food economy. The outcome of these meetings is captured in the diagram Steps Toward a Local Food Economy.
2006 -2009
The group produced two printed editions of the Mendocino County Local Food Guide.
2010 – 2012
The group continues to organize the Not-So-Simple Living Fair, a weekend of hands-on workshops and demonstrations celebrating rural living and homesteading skills held at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds.
May 2012
Web version of the Local Food Guide launched.
About the 2025 Printed Guide
The 2025 Mendocino County Local Food Guide was funded through a USDA grant managed by North Coast Opportunities and the MendoLake Food Hub, with support from the Anderson Valley Foodshed, and research, content development, and design by Lemon Fresh Design.
About MendoLake Food Hub
MendoLake Food Hub (MLFH) is a project of North Coast Opportunities, Inc. A vibrant, nonprofit organization, the hub serves as a vital link between farmers and the community, providing resources, opportunities, and a reliable market for their fresh, nutritious produce in order to enhance local food security.
MLFH streamlines access to markets and resources, creating larger and more consistent offerings for our local grocery stores, restaurants, and caterers. This collective approach reduces the farmers individual costs for marketing, distribution, and transportation. By providing shared services—such as cold storage and refrigerated transport, distribution, marketing, and an online sales platform—the food hub empowers farmers to sell directly to buyers. Food Hub staff pick up from the farmer the same day food is harvested, and pack and deliver the next day.
MLFH also supports community feeding initiatives, partnering with schools to ensure children benefit from nutritious, farm-fresh foods, fostering healthy eating habits from an early age. The hub works with local food banks and other food security organizations to ensure that fresh, nutritious, and local produce reaches those who need it most. They also work with disaster feeding groups and initiatives to ensure our community is fed during emergencies. These partnerships not only strengthen the local food system but also reinforce the hub’s mission of nourishing the community while supporting farmers.
Every purchase supports our community. Whether you’re a farmer, chef, grocer, food security organization, or simply love great food, the Food Hub has something for you. Buying from the food hub helps local farmers earn fair wages and supports its partnerships with disaster-preparedness networks, food banks, and schools.
Enjoy the flavor of fresh, local ingredients while connecting with the farmers who grow them. Visit mendolakefoodhub.org to learn more, place an order, or get involved. Together, we can build a stronger community—one bite at a time.
Credits
Cover Art by Michelle Noe
Graphic Design by Lemon Fresh Design
www.lemonfreshdesign.com
Spanish translation by Milena Duenas
Published 2025